Orange City, Iowa — A trial date has been set for a Hawarden couple facing felony charges of child endangerment after their 11-year-old told a teacher he was being abused.
According to court records, authorities believe that on at least three separate occasions from September of last year until now, 35-year-old Matthew Spaans abused his 11-year-old stepson, causing injuries. Authorities also believe the child’s mother, 33-year-old Nina Spaans told the boy to make up stories about how the injuries were received.
Matthew Spaans is charged with three counts of Serious Assault Causing Bodily Injury, a serious misdemeanor; and both Matthew and Nina Spaans are charged with three counts each of Child Endangerment Causing Bodily Injury, a class D felony.
Both have entered “not guilty” pleas.
A pretrial conference has been set for April 17th, with a jury trial scheduled for Tuesday, July 18th.
